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Assessing Academic Progress in First-Year Engineering and First-Generation College Students Through Engineering Design Graphics Courses

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Conference

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publication Date

June 22, 2025

Start Date

June 22, 2025

End Date

August 15, 2025

Conference Session

Engineering Design Graphics Division (EDGD) Technical Session 2

Tagged Division

Engineering Design Graphics Division (EDGD)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

11

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/55463

Paper Authors

biography

Erik Schettig North Carolina State University at Raleigh

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Dr. Erik Schettig is a lecturer in the Technology, Engineering, and Design Education program area of the Department of STEM Education in the College of Education at NC State University. His research interests include developing open-access engaging STEM curricula for K-12 teachers and guiding students in technology, engineering, and design education teacher licensure.

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biography

Aaron C. Clark North Carolina State University at Raleigh

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Aaron C. Clark is a Professor of Technology, Design, and Engineering Education within the College of Education and Department Head for STEM Education at NC State University. He has worked in both industry and education. Dr. Clark's teaching specialties a

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biography

Daniel P. Kelly North Carolina State University at Raleigh Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-6463-7022

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Dr. Daniel P. Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Technology, Design, and Engineering Education at NC State University. Dr. Kelly's research is centered on improving access to STEM education for students historically underrepresented in STEM career and educational pathways.

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biography

Jeremy V Ernst Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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Dr. Jeremy Ernst is Professor of Technology and Vice President for Research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr. Ernst specializes in technology and engineering education research associated with academic matriculation conditions in the formation of fundamental engineering competencies and practices.

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Abstract

Engineering design graphics courses provide essential opportunities for students beginning their engineering or technology degree programs to build foundational knowledge and skills. Students entering such STEM fields come from a wide range of academic backgrounds, which affects their level of college preparedness and potential for success in a degree program. First-year and first-generation college students, in particular, require early academic support to enhance their success, retention, and persistence in STEM degree programs.

This paper will describe a study that identified retention and persistence rates of first-year engineering and first-generation students enrolled in a foundations of engineering graphics course, as part of an NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) study conducted at a large land-grant institution in the southeastern United States. Previous analyses of this sample from three semesters' of students have demonstrated improvements in self-efficacy with solid modeling, 3D mental rotation ability, and overall academic success. This longitudinal study using descriptive analysis highlights the retention and persistence rates among 312 first-year engineering students and 218 first-generation college students from that sample, focusing on their continued enrollment and progress toward degree completion.

The findings reinforce the importance of structured support systems for first-year students, including first-generation college students, who often lack sufficient resources and arrive from underrepresented populations. The study further emphasizes the value of engineering design graphics courses in offering early exposure to critical skills that contribute to long-term success in engineering and technology programs. These insights underscore the role of targeted interventions in enhancing student outcomes and supporting diverse learners in STEM fields.

Schettig, E., & Clark, A. C., & Kelly, D. P., & Ernst, J. V. (2025, June), Assessing Academic Progress in First-Year Engineering and First-Generation College Students Through Engineering Design Graphics Courses Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/55463

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